November 12, 2020 • 21 mins
Voice of the Vikings Paul Allen caught up with Head Coach Mike Zimmer and tight ends coach Brian Pariani on this week's episode of X's and O's to preview the matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And a fan. It's time for XS and os with
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer on the Minnesota Vikings Radio Network.
Now from the TCO Studios in Egan, here is the
police of the Vikings, Paul Allen. Hey, what's going on.
It's Paul Allen from the TCO Studios on kfa N
(00:20):
and the Vikings Radio Network. It is XS and o's
with Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, on a two game
winning streak, heading to his home state Illinois for Monday
night football against the Chicago Bears. You know, I got
to credit your coach because in looking back at some
of these fiascos, this team has had its soldier field
(00:41):
and there have been a lot of them over the
last twenty years. You've managed to win there two times
since you've been the head coach, and they've only won
their four times out of nineteen. How do you do it? Right?
You just gotta played better than the other team, you know,
It's it's always a hard trip. You know, they're fans.
There are great fans um, you know, and they've got
(01:04):
great players, so I think, you know, all those things
combined make it difficult. In the victory over the Detroit Lions.
First of all, congratulations too in a row. Still a
lot of work to do. Chris Boyd's first start went
right at him with that first play, knocked it away,
whipped on Marvin later touchdown, raising kids, like we talked
about last week. Isn't it just awesome? Yeah? Well, you
(01:27):
know he did play a lot better this last week. Um,
you know, he challenged the receivers quite a bit. He
did a pretty good job and running game. Unfortunately missed tackle.
You know, Paul, that was the exact same basically play
a year ago up in Detroit that Trey Wayne Smiths
and tackle on Marvin Jones and scored a touchdown. Wow,
Holy cow. Now you know when when when I was
(01:47):
able to leave my ten foot circumference here at TCO
Performance Center and chat with you. I recall late in
the season, Um, you liked what you were seeing from
Chris Boyd in practice. I just remember you saying really
good things about Chris. So like, what did you like
then to where he is now? Well? I think he
saw some of those things this last week. You know,
his acceleration, he's got really good ball skills, but he
(02:10):
can really run. He's physical in a run game. You know,
he's done a really nice job for us in special
teams a year ago. So I think all those things combined.
You see the athletic ability, and it's just about you know,
being the same guy every day, same technique, same same alignments,
understanding all the different formations and things that he has
to do. Just a quick kids check because the future
(02:33):
is so important if you get the opportunity. Jeff Kladney,
what what are you liking about him? Off that Lions game? Well,
Jeff had three third down breakups this week, which you
know that's always a good thing. Um. You know, we're
we're trying to get our guys more involved in knocking
balls down, getting getting a bald disruption. I think in
(02:53):
that game he didn't. He did a nice job as
rac Cleveland third start. What are we liking about him? Yeah,
I think you're start to see some of the athleticism,
uh that shows up on some of the especially on
some of the zone plays. We still got some things
to work on with him that uh will help him
to become a better player. But he's got good size
and good good athletic ability, and he's a pretty tough kid.
(03:16):
Baptism by fire for him and the rest of those
guys this week, Right, Danny Trevat than a Kim Hicks,
Roquan Smith, you know more than me. He's never played better,
and you belong Nicholes. Nobody's heard of him, but he's good.
I mean, this is this is gonna be a top one. Yeah,
this is a tough one. They've got a lot of
a lot of really good players on their defense. Uh,
they're very stout, they're very aggressive. You know, you didn't
even mention klil mack. Um. You know. So they've got
(03:39):
they've got a lot of good guys, good guys in
the secondary as well. The corners play well. Uh, you know,
the Johnson kid from Utah is a good player. So, um,
you know it'll it'll be a great test for us
offensively as well. Back to that kid's check for a second.
Justin Jefferson at the midway point, what what are we
liking about him? I think he's just settling in and
(03:59):
you know, the the more opportunities he gets, some more
plays he makes. Uh. He's he's good with the ball
in his hands, he's good with going up and getting
the ball contested catches. He's starting to I think he's
starting to understand some of the releases a little bit
better now that he has to do in the NFL. So, um,
you know, really, this guy's a limit for him. Last
couple with Justin specifically, are you starting to see safety
(04:22):
shade his way a little bit? Well, I'm starting to
see corners follow him a little bit more so uh
uh and yeah some some of the times, but this
last week the safety shaded to add him a little
bit more. But you know, these guys do a good
job in the back end Chicago does with their two
safeties Eddie Jackson. Um, you know, they they'll they'll be
(04:44):
trying to trick us uh and and move one way
or the other. Wow. Last one on the kids, can't
forget him, Dan Jasena the gunner. What what are we
seeing him? Dan? He's pretty fast, isn't he? Yeah, he's
a he's a fast guy. We've got to continue to
work with him on some of his releases and get offs.
He's doing a nice job on kickoff return as far
as his blocking, uh you know, and he's he's had
(05:08):
some good rushes opportunities to maybe block a punt. So
we gotta we gotta continue to work with him on
some of his technique. Speaking about kick and punt returns,
what were some teaching moments for kJ Osborne off that
Detroit game. Well, I think on the punt return, you know,
you know, I'm watching the guy in in pregame and
he's almost hitting a roof and uh, you know, the
(05:30):
the second punt that he had that he didn't fair
catch was you know, a five point four second hang
time or something. You know, you got a fair catch that,
and then there was one, uh, you know, and on
the kickoffs, you know, he has has the ability to
start going and then he can't stutter. He's got to
keep running, uh and get get vertical with your secondary Mike,
(05:52):
do you sense things absolutely or settling back there out
of the by maybe with a little more cover too. Well,
we've played a lot more Cover two definitely, but um,
you know, we have to mix the coverages. It's just
like every other every other week. You can't sit in
there and play just uh, straight Cover two. And you
know we've we've had some adaptations of the cover twos.
(06:14):
We've had some adv some adaptations of quarters and some
three deep and some pressures. So you know that's kind
of what you got to do these um these defensive linemen.
Not many around the league have heard a lot of
the names. And maybe if Audio danibo off last year
doesn't matter. I mean, they're playing out of their minds
for you right now, right well, they're playing very hard
(06:34):
and uh, you know that's important. They've been doing a
really good job in the run game, which you know,
if if we can get teams in second and eight
second and nine second and ten, that adds to a
lot of what we can do with not only with
our corners, but with our pressure package and and trying
to confuse the quarterback. Is Jalil Johnson bursting with confidence
(06:55):
right now? Yeah? Jalil, Uh, you know he has he
has this moment where he kind of forgets what he's
where he's going. But I think it feels you know,
the thing I admire the most about Jolila is he'll
go in there and he'll throw his stuff around. He's
gonna be physical and aggressive, and sometimes it doesn't go
the right way all the time, but Andre gets him
(07:16):
back on track and he goes back out there and
gets back to it. Mike, I have to believe the
way the running game is going one sixty a clip.
The way Dalvin's going, I have to believe the play
action game moving forward. I mean that that just has
to have merit all over the plays, right, Yeah, that
that'll be the next part of it. You know, I
think that's something that we do well. You know, our
(07:37):
receivers do a good job of getting on and off
of it. You know, the running game sets it up
very well, and so you know we'll have to continue
to do both those things. Does Core Darryl Patterson bring
everything out of the end zone? Yeah, if you don't
kick it out of the end zone, it's coming out.
And he's not just a good returner, he's a great returner. Yeah.
(07:59):
Maybe one of the best asked, if not the in
the history of the National Football League. That'll be a challenge.
Very physical runner, He's a very physical runner. Hits it
seems hard. Um. Yeah, it does a great job XS
and os with Mike Zimmerum. Ever ever had two punts
blocked in a game before Sunday? Ever seen that? Nope?
We've blocked a couple against Carolina a few years ago,
(08:20):
but we've never had two blocked against us. Now this
bears front with Eddie Jackson behind them back to your
Running game versus this gang, you know, with with with
not having fans that soldier field a that's super sad
like US Bank Stadium. But secondly, it's probably not gonna
hurt cousins and your offense in the Running Game, right, No,
(08:42):
that shouldn't hurt anything there. That's the you know, the
the kam Hicks and Mac and those guys that those
are the difficult guys that we're going to have to
take care of. Um, they the Bears have lost three
in a row overall. How are they playing in the
Monday Nights game. Well, you know, they've been been a
lot of close games. Um, you know they lost last week,
(09:04):
Uh on a close one. Um, I believe it gets Tennessee. Ye.
And uh, you know, so they've had a lot of
a lot of really good games. Uh they've won some
games late and then we've lost some games late. So uh,
you know, it's it's going to be important for us
that you know, I think it's probably gonna be a
fairly low scoring game and we're gonna have to try
and keep the score down and and uh try to
(09:27):
manage the game with the things that we do well.
And Professor Zimmer teaches every single week, even though it
may be cliche. Honestly, I haven't seen the take give
as important for a team as this one. Through the
first eight I mean, what are your minus eight and
the losses plus five and wins? I mean it's it's
kind of everything, right, Yeah, it's it's really important for us. Uh,
(09:49):
you know, the the less less possessions that the other
team has and the more that we have is always
a good thing. And um, you know, hopefully they continue
to come in bunches because that's uh, you know, we
got through this last week. Hopefully we can get a
couple more this next week. And you know, obviously we
don't want to turn the ball over offensively. Last one, coach,
and thanks for the time. You think paying in that
(10:09):
windy lambeau Field game will help you guys Monday night
in case it comes up windy. Yeah, you know, there's
a possibility that's going to be windy. You know, it's
always got a little bit of win there and Soldier
Field and so hopefully that will give us a little
bit advantage that we've been in there. But it should
be a nice night and we need to be ready
to go and just to reemphasize in closing their kick returner, gunner,
(10:31):
running back and wide receiver. Great not good, right right,
thank you, good luck all right. Paul Mike Zimmer, head
coach of the Minnesota Vikings. I'm Paul Allen. Innovative Office
Solutions and the Minnesota Vikings have teamed to put the
spotlight on nonprofit organizations doing good I mean great in
the community that surrounds us. Nominate a deserving organization by
(10:55):
going to community dot Innovative oh dash s dot com.
Innovative Office Solutions is the hometown provider of office essentials
and furniture to the Minnesota Vikings. It's Paul Allen, Brian Periani,
tight Ends coach. He coaches IRV Smith Junior at a
couple of tds and the Lions game. He's next Nexus
(11:19):
and NOS via the KFA n Minnesota Vikings Radio Network
driven by PAULA and the AD Council. Welcome back to
lexs ANDOS on the KFA in Minnesota Vikings Radio Network.
It's Paul Allen joined by Vikings tight Ends coach Brian
Periani on a program presented by US Bank honoring the
(11:42):
Vikings sixty greatest fans. This season. How you doing coach,
Congratulations on that victory against Detroit. Felt pretty good, right, thanks, Paul,
I'm doing good. Yeah. And one of your pupils, IRV
Smith Junior, with not only his first two touchdowns of
the year, his first multiple touchdown game of his career.
Air seems like a really free spirited kind of kid.
(12:04):
Is that true? And how happy was he? Yeah? He is.
You know, he likes to show his emotion when he
plays the game. I think it's it's good for any
player to do that. Once again, the end zone. You know,
it's it's tough to do. It's a heart league, and
you know you should be rewarded when you score touchdowns
in this league. You know, a common thread on XS
and OS I have with Mike Zimmer specifically earlier in
(12:24):
the season with no preseason games and raising these kids
and stuff like that is exactly that raising kids. And
you know, Orf Smith Junior was the youngest player in
the NFL last year. He's still young. So whether it's Tim,
Kyle Tyler, whomever, when when they're not getting looks or
it's not going the way, do you kind of have
to in fatherly fashion keep encouraging them to do everything
(12:47):
as well as they are. I think he always has
to keep encouraging them to do everything as well as
they are, like he said, because I understand that it
takes eleven guys going in the same direction in all
areas of what we do on offense, and you ever
know when it's going to be your day or your time,
so you know, the success of everybody is generated by
all the guys that are on the field, all eleven guys.
(13:09):
B Brian, I'm gonna mention this to you for I
think a third time publicly, maybe a fifth time overall.
Eighty two one of my favorite players on and off
the field. His overall game really has jumped up since
you got here, and we just see things. You see everything,
people like me see things every single game. And the
newest example Dalvin seventy. I mean, what he was doing
(13:31):
to jay Ron Curs in the end zone honestly should
be felonious in forty eight states. I mean, he was
just working on him right. One of the things we
take pride in and everybody does for on offense, for
coach Kubiak is in for their teammates is to you know,
try to get finishes on blocks after place and coach
will show those to the team and uh, you know
(13:52):
everybody's it's not that you're trying to get on there.
You're just showing your work and you know you're trading
this profession. And Kyle had a great block on the
screen and he also had a great block on the
seventy yard touchdown run by Dalvin in the third quarter.
And what the team specifically like this Brian, that is
averaging one hundred and sixty rushing yards a game. I
mean the buy in factor for the tight ends and
(14:14):
doing their part, it just has to be there, right yeah.
I mean it all starts with the running game and
if it's not there and in the past protection, the
other things aren't going to come off that. I think
I said that one other time. The play passes and
the keepers and different things that are going to happen
are starting to happen once you believe in what the
offense does and as the season continues to go, because
(14:36):
you never know what day it's going to be somebody's
turn to make the big place for this offense. Brian
Perry on, a tight ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings,
on a two game winning streak taking on the Bears
on Monday Night Football. This is x's and ows and
you can purchase any twenty ounce Pepsi branded product from
Quick Trip with your rewards card to enter the Vikings
Opening Drive Sweepstakes. No purchase necessary. See store for details.
(14:59):
And coach to take us into like watching film after
a game and not the x's and o's or the
schemes or anything, but like when Dalvin is running the
way he is, or Madison or whomever, and IRV, Kyle
or Tyler, they see themselves really helping with it. That
makes like, what's the room like when they see that?
(15:21):
You know, well, I think it's almost like what you
see during the games as you're observing it. There's that excitement,
you know, and you see it on the sidelines. You
see it when you're on the field. You can tell
when somebody does good things, not just those guys offensive lignment,
the fullback to ride receivers. So when they get a
chance to see it again in the film room, I
think it's just as exciting to correct something that's good,
(15:42):
and sometimes you've got to correct things that are bad.
You know, kind of an overriding view because you've done
it for so long and been part of Super Bowls
and everything. The no fans part is awful. Nothing we
can do about it. But specifically at home games, are
you noticing that it's easier to get that energy going
on the road than maybe it is at home when
(16:02):
something doesn't necessarily go your way? Um, you know, I
think it's been a learning experience for all of us,
this whole situation that we've gone through this year. So
like anything, I think we're all learning to deal with it,
both at home and a way, and um, we're getting
better at it, you know. Um. Obviously some games have
dictated it to be better on the road than maybe
(16:24):
at home. But Reno, we won a first game at
home the other day, and I think that's a positive
step in the right direction for the second half of
the season. And we have a lot more to play
at home. So um, it should only it should only
continue us going in the right direction. Coach, this bears
well respected past defense. How does it mesh with tight ends? Um?
(16:46):
You know it really their their defense is very very good,
you know, Chuck, Chuck, Coach McConnell does a great job.
They're you know, watching them. You got ninety four fifty two,
fifty eight, fifty nine, the safety thirty eight and thirty nine.
I mean he got hicks inside. They they they are
very good. They they stop the run, They make you work.
(17:07):
They can rush the passer, you know. And um, we're
going to Chicago and we got to work cut out
for us against them on Monday night because of COVID
and tears and everything. I haven't spoken to Tyler Conklin
one time before a game this year. So, um, call Aim,
the announcer says, high. And also how is he doing?
Are things okay for Tyler? He has zero catches? Is
(17:27):
he begging for catches? He know, he's doing a good job.
He's working. Uh, you know he played played a lot
last week. Um, you know. And and again he's he's
he's doing his role and he's helping us. You know,
when somebody else is making a play, if he's in there,
he's pass protecting, he's run blocking, and he's he's getting
the positive things done for Dalvin, for Madison, for Justin,
(17:48):
for Irv, for Adam, for Kyle, for somebody, you know,
to get open to be successful and to help. Kurt
I asked Gary kubi Act this question on my radio
show on KFA and earlier in the week, and also
Mike Zimmer on this show. So I'll ask you too,
with what Dalvin's doing in the running game out there,
what are you seeing with play action? I mean that's
(18:08):
like something that's no longer in the back pocket. It's
like right there, right, yeah, it is, Uh, you know,
to watch him, whether he's running the ball or play action,
he's he's so energetic. He's a he's a special player, uh,
you know, whether it's in practice or in the game.
I mean, he's a captain, he's a leader, he's a worker.
You know, he wants to win. He wants to put
people on his back and his you know, he can
(18:31):
lead his teammates and they'll follow him and uh, you know,
it's it's a it's a tribute to him because he's
just fun to watch when he gets on that football field. Brian,
you've seen so much for so many years and you
just rapsodize Dalvin. But like, you know, the speed and
the versatility, Like what are some non obvious things a
coach would genuinely appreciate about what Dalvin Cook does and
(18:54):
what he brings. I think he has you know, he
kind of already knows where he wants to with the ball.
He has vision. One of the things that he does.
He's a great pass protector, you know. You know, a
lot of backs don't get credit for that, but he
know he's going to stick his face in there and
go block people. He understands all the schemes and uh,
you know, whatever he's called on to do, he's going
(19:15):
to do for his teammates. Last one and thank you
very much, Brian. The way Roquan Smith is playing, we
know Khalil Mack Prevathan a team Hicks, Eddie Jackson, like
you mentioned, is this is this a bigger tight end
protection game maybe like handcuffed to the tackles or is
this a big tight end pass protection game or just
(19:36):
kind of business as usual. No, I don't think so.
I think it's business as usual. You know. I think
we have to go about and we have to do
our our thing, just like we do on offense. You know,
like I said before, I think they're a great defense,
but we face a lot of good defenses and great
defenses this year. Every week there's a challenge. There's certain
people that people that we need to take care of them.
(19:56):
On offense, and you know, there's certain things that our
scheme will explod hopefully if we get the running game
going and we get things going, and that's what we
got to do on Monday night to beat the Bears
on the road. Coach, I appreciate the time. Best to luck,
keep everybody healthy and I'll see you soon. Okay, Okay,
thanks Paul, I appreciate it. You've got a bud. Brian
Pariani tight ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings on a
(20:17):
two game winning streak at Chicago on Monday Night football.
The kickoff shortly after seven o'clock. Then three consecutive at home,
so a chance to do some damage off two consecutive
wins from one in five now three and five. I'm
very very excited for this Monday Night contest. Winning the
Soldier field has been problematic for the Minnesota Vikings, winning
(20:39):
four of the last nineteen there, so we'll see what
they can do on Monday Night Football. It's game day
any day. Play the new Minnesota Vikings scratch game from
the Minnesota Lottery with the top prize of one hundred
thousand dollars. Are you game? Just say? I'm in get
details at ment lottery dot Com. Thank you to everybody
(21:02):
here at the Vikings Entertainment Network, specifically Nathan Vaughan and
Eric Nordquist and Brett Blakemore with kfa N Radio. I'm
Paul Allen. That's XS and OS with Mike Zimmer on
the kfa N Lewiston, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings Radio Network driven
by Paul Harris
And a fan. It's time for XS and os with
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer on the Minnesota Vikings Radio Network.
Now from the TCO Studios in Egan, here is the
police of the Vikings, Paul Allen. Hey, what's going on.
It's Paul Allen from the TCO Studios on kfa N
(00:20):
and the Vikings Radio Network. It is XS and o's
with Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, on a two game
winning streak, heading to his home state Illinois for Monday
night football against the Chicago Bears. You know, I got
to credit your coach because in looking back at some
of these fiascos, this team has had its soldier field
(00:41):
and there have been a lot of them over the
last twenty years. You've managed to win there two times
since you've been the head coach, and they've only won
their four times out of nineteen. How do you do it? Right?
You just gotta played better than the other team, you know,
It's it's always a hard trip. You know, they're fans.
There are great fans um, you know, and they've got
(01:04):
great players, so I think, you know, all those things
combined make it difficult. In the victory over the Detroit Lions.
First of all, congratulations too in a row. Still a
lot of work to do. Chris Boyd's first start went
right at him with that first play, knocked it away,
whipped on Marvin later touchdown, raising kids, like we talked
about last week. Isn't it just awesome? Yeah? Well, you
(01:27):
know he did play a lot better this last week. Um,
you know, he challenged the receivers quite a bit. He
did a pretty good job and running game. Unfortunately missed tackle.
You know, Paul, that was the exact same basically play
a year ago up in Detroit that Trey Wayne Smiths
and tackle on Marvin Jones and scored a touchdown. Wow,
Holy cow. Now you know when when when I was
(01:47):
able to leave my ten foot circumference here at TCO
Performance Center and chat with you. I recall late in
the season, Um, you liked what you were seeing from
Chris Boyd in practice. I just remember you saying really
good things about Chris. So like, what did you like
then to where he is now? Well? I think he
saw some of those things this last week. You know,
his acceleration, he's got really good ball skills, but he
(02:10):
can really run. He's physical in a run game. You know,
he's done a really nice job for us in special
teams a year ago. So I think all those things combined.
You see the athletic ability, and it's just about you know,
being the same guy every day, same technique, same same alignments,
understanding all the different formations and things that he has
to do. Just a quick kids check because the future
(02:33):
is so important if you get the opportunity. Jeff Kladney,
what what are you liking about him? Off that Lions game? Well,
Jeff had three third down breakups this week, which you
know that's always a good thing. Um. You know, we're
we're trying to get our guys more involved in knocking
balls down, getting getting a bald disruption. I think in
(02:53):
that game he didn't. He did a nice job as
rac Cleveland third start. What are we liking about him? Yeah,
I think you're start to see some of the athleticism,
uh that shows up on some of the especially on
some of the zone plays. We still got some things
to work on with him that uh will help him
to become a better player. But he's got good size
and good good athletic ability, and he's a pretty tough kid.
(03:16):
Baptism by fire for him and the rest of those
guys this week, Right, Danny Trevat than a Kim Hicks,
Roquan Smith, you know more than me. He's never played better,
and you belong Nicholes. Nobody's heard of him, but he's good.
I mean, this is this is gonna be a top one. Yeah,
this is a tough one. They've got a lot of
a lot of really good players on their defense. Uh,
they're very stout, they're very aggressive. You know, you didn't
even mention klil mack. Um. You know. So they've got
(03:39):
they've got a lot of good guys, good guys in
the secondary as well. The corners play well. Uh, you know,
the Johnson kid from Utah is a good player. So, um,
you know it'll it'll be a great test for us
offensively as well. Back to that kid's check for a second.
Justin Jefferson at the midway point, what what are we
liking about him? I think he's just settling in and
(03:59):
you know, the the more opportunities he gets, some more
plays he makes. Uh. He's he's good with the ball
in his hands, he's good with going up and getting
the ball contested catches. He's starting to I think he's
starting to understand some of the releases a little bit
better now that he has to do in the NFL. So, um,
you know, really, this guy's a limit for him. Last
couple with Justin specifically, are you starting to see safety
(04:22):
shade his way a little bit? Well, I'm starting to
see corners follow him a little bit more so uh
uh and yeah some some of the times, but this
last week the safety shaded to add him a little
bit more. But you know, these guys do a good
job in the back end Chicago does with their two
safeties Eddie Jackson. Um, you know, they they'll they'll be
(04:44):
trying to trick us uh and and move one way
or the other. Wow. Last one on the kids, can't
forget him, Dan Jasena the gunner. What what are we
seeing him? Dan? He's pretty fast, isn't he? Yeah, he's
a he's a fast guy. We've got to continue to
work with him on some of his releases and get offs.
He's doing a nice job on kickoff return as far
as his blocking, uh you know, and he's he's had
(05:08):
some good rushes opportunities to maybe block a punt. So
we gotta we gotta continue to work with him on
some of his technique. Speaking about kick and punt returns,
what were some teaching moments for kJ Osborne off that
Detroit game. Well, I think on the punt return, you know,
you know, I'm watching the guy in in pregame and
he's almost hitting a roof and uh, you know, the
(05:30):
the second punt that he had that he didn't fair
catch was you know, a five point four second hang
time or something. You know, you got a fair catch that,
and then there was one, uh, you know, and on
the kickoffs, you know, he has has the ability to
start going and then he can't stutter. He's got to
keep running, uh and get get vertical with your secondary Mike,
(05:52):
do you sense things absolutely or settling back there out
of the by maybe with a little more cover too. Well,
we've played a lot more Cover two definitely, but um,
you know, we have to mix the coverages. It's just
like every other every other week. You can't sit in
there and play just uh, straight Cover two. And you
know we've we've had some adaptations of the cover twos.
(06:14):
We've had some adv some adaptations of quarters and some
three deep and some pressures. So you know that's kind
of what you got to do these um these defensive linemen.
Not many around the league have heard a lot of
the names. And maybe if Audio danibo off last year
doesn't matter. I mean, they're playing out of their minds
for you right now, right well, they're playing very hard
(06:34):
and uh, you know that's important. They've been doing a
really good job in the run game, which you know,
if if we can get teams in second and eight
second and nine second and ten, that adds to a
lot of what we can do with not only with
our corners, but with our pressure package and and trying
to confuse the quarterback. Is Jalil Johnson bursting with confidence
(06:55):
right now? Yeah? Jalil, Uh, you know he has he
has this moment where he kind of forgets what he's
where he's going. But I think it feels you know,
the thing I admire the most about Jolila is he'll
go in there and he'll throw his stuff around. He's
gonna be physical and aggressive, and sometimes it doesn't go
the right way all the time, but Andre gets him
(07:16):
back on track and he goes back out there and
gets back to it. Mike, I have to believe the
way the running game is going one sixty a clip.
The way Dalvin's going, I have to believe the play
action game moving forward. I mean that that just has
to have merit all over the plays, right, Yeah, that
that'll be the next part of it. You know, I
think that's something that we do well. You know, our
(07:37):
receivers do a good job of getting on and off
of it. You know, the running game sets it up
very well, and so you know we'll have to continue
to do both those things. Does Core Darryl Patterson bring
everything out of the end zone? Yeah, if you don't
kick it out of the end zone, it's coming out.
And he's not just a good returner, he's a great returner. Yeah.
(07:59):
Maybe one of the best asked, if not the in
the history of the National Football League. That'll be a challenge.
Very physical runner, He's a very physical runner. Hits it
seems hard. Um. Yeah, it does a great job XS
and os with Mike Zimmerum. Ever ever had two punts
blocked in a game before Sunday? Ever seen that? Nope?
We've blocked a couple against Carolina a few years ago,
(08:20):
but we've never had two blocked against us. Now this
bears front with Eddie Jackson behind them back to your
Running game versus this gang, you know, with with with
not having fans that soldier field a that's super sad
like US Bank Stadium. But secondly, it's probably not gonna
hurt cousins and your offense in the Running Game, right, No,
(08:42):
that shouldn't hurt anything there. That's the you know, the
the kam Hicks and Mac and those guys that those
are the difficult guys that we're going to have to
take care of. Um, they the Bears have lost three
in a row overall. How are they playing in the
Monday Nights game. Well, you know, they've been been a
lot of close games. Um, you know they lost last week,
(09:04):
Uh on a close one. Um, I believe it gets Tennessee. Ye.
And uh, you know, so they've had a lot of
a lot of really good games. Uh they've won some
games late and then we've lost some games late. So uh,
you know, it's it's going to be important for us
that you know, I think it's probably gonna be a
fairly low scoring game and we're gonna have to try
and keep the score down and and uh try to
(09:27):
manage the game with the things that we do well.
And Professor Zimmer teaches every single week, even though it
may be cliche. Honestly, I haven't seen the take give
as important for a team as this one. Through the
first eight I mean, what are your minus eight and
the losses plus five and wins? I mean it's it's
kind of everything, right, Yeah, it's it's really important for us. Uh,
(09:49):
you know, the the less less possessions that the other
team has and the more that we have is always
a good thing. And um, you know, hopefully they continue
to come in bunches because that's uh, you know, we
got through this last week. Hopefully we can get a
couple more this next week. And you know, obviously we
don't want to turn the ball over offensively. Last one, coach,
and thanks for the time. You think paying in that
(10:09):
windy lambeau Field game will help you guys Monday night
in case it comes up windy. Yeah, you know, there's
a possibility that's going to be windy. You know, it's
always got a little bit of win there and Soldier
Field and so hopefully that will give us a little
bit advantage that we've been in there. But it should
be a nice night and we need to be ready
to go and just to reemphasize in closing their kick returner, gunner,
(10:31):
running back and wide receiver. Great not good, right right,
thank you, good luck all right. Paul Mike Zimmer, head
coach of the Minnesota Vikings. I'm Paul Allen. Innovative Office
Solutions and the Minnesota Vikings have teamed to put the
spotlight on nonprofit organizations doing good I mean great in
the community that surrounds us. Nominate a deserving organization by
(10:55):
going to community dot Innovative oh dash s dot com.
Innovative Office Solutions is the hometown provider of office essentials
and furniture to the Minnesota Vikings. It's Paul Allen, Brian Periani,
tight Ends coach. He coaches IRV Smith Junior at a
couple of tds and the Lions game. He's next Nexus
(11:19):
and NOS via the KFA n Minnesota Vikings Radio Network
driven by PAULA and the AD Council. Welcome back to
lexs ANDOS on the KFA in Minnesota Vikings Radio Network.
It's Paul Allen joined by Vikings tight Ends coach Brian
Periani on a program presented by US Bank honoring the
(11:42):
Vikings sixty greatest fans. This season. How you doing coach,
Congratulations on that victory against Detroit. Felt pretty good, right, thanks, Paul,
I'm doing good. Yeah. And one of your pupils, IRV
Smith Junior, with not only his first two touchdowns of
the year, his first multiple touchdown game of his career.
Air seems like a really free spirited kind of kid.
(12:04):
Is that true? And how happy was he? Yeah? He is.
You know, he likes to show his emotion when he
plays the game. I think it's it's good for any
player to do that. Once again, the end zone. You know,
it's it's tough to do. It's a heart league, and
you know you should be rewarded when you score touchdowns
in this league. You know, a common thread on XS
and OS I have with Mike Zimmer specifically earlier in
(12:24):
the season with no preseason games and raising these kids
and stuff like that is exactly that raising kids. And
you know, Orf Smith Junior was the youngest player in
the NFL last year. He's still young. So whether it's Tim,
Kyle Tyler, whomever, when when they're not getting looks or
it's not going the way, do you kind of have
to in fatherly fashion keep encouraging them to do everything
(12:47):
as well as they are. I think he always has
to keep encouraging them to do everything as well as
they are, like he said, because I understand that it
takes eleven guys going in the same direction in all
areas of what we do on offense, and you ever
know when it's going to be your day or your time,
so you know, the success of everybody is generated by
all the guys that are on the field, all eleven guys.
(13:09):
B Brian, I'm gonna mention this to you for I
think a third time publicly, maybe a fifth time overall.
Eighty two one of my favorite players on and off
the field. His overall game really has jumped up since
you got here, and we just see things. You see everything,
people like me see things every single game. And the
newest example Dalvin seventy. I mean, what he was doing
(13:31):
to jay Ron Curs in the end zone honestly should
be felonious in forty eight states. I mean, he was
just working on him right. One of the things we
take pride in and everybody does for on offense, for
coach Kubiak is in for their teammates is to you know,
try to get finishes on blocks after place and coach
will show those to the team and uh, you know
(13:52):
everybody's it's not that you're trying to get on there.
You're just showing your work and you know you're trading
this profession. And Kyle had a great block on the
screen and he also had a great block on the
seventy yard touchdown run by Dalvin in the third quarter.
And what the team specifically like this Brian, that is
averaging one hundred and sixty rushing yards a game. I
mean the buy in factor for the tight ends and
(14:14):
doing their part, it just has to be there, right yeah.
I mean it all starts with the running game and
if it's not there and in the past protection, the
other things aren't going to come off that. I think
I said that one other time. The play passes and
the keepers and different things that are going to happen
are starting to happen once you believe in what the
offense does and as the season continues to go, because
(14:36):
you never know what day it's going to be somebody's
turn to make the big place for this offense. Brian
Perry on, a tight ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings,
on a two game winning streak taking on the Bears
on Monday Night Football. This is x's and ows and
you can purchase any twenty ounce Pepsi branded product from
Quick Trip with your rewards card to enter the Vikings
Opening Drive Sweepstakes. No purchase necessary. See store for details.
(14:59):
And coach to take us into like watching film after
a game and not the x's and o's or the
schemes or anything, but like when Dalvin is running the
way he is, or Madison or whomever, and IRV, Kyle
or Tyler, they see themselves really helping with it. That
makes like, what's the room like when they see that?
(15:21):
You know, well, I think it's almost like what you
see during the games as you're observing it. There's that excitement,
you know, and you see it on the sidelines. You
see it when you're on the field. You can tell
when somebody does good things, not just those guys offensive lignment,
the fullback to ride receivers. So when they get a
chance to see it again in the film room, I
think it's just as exciting to correct something that's good,
(15:42):
and sometimes you've got to correct things that are bad.
You know, kind of an overriding view because you've done
it for so long and been part of Super Bowls
and everything. The no fans part is awful. Nothing we
can do about it. But specifically at home games, are
you noticing that it's easier to get that energy going
on the road than maybe it is at home when
(16:02):
something doesn't necessarily go your way? Um, you know, I
think it's been a learning experience for all of us,
this whole situation that we've gone through this year. So
like anything, I think we're all learning to deal with it,
both at home and a way, and um, we're getting
better at it, you know. Um. Obviously some games have
dictated it to be better on the road than maybe
(16:24):
at home. But Reno, we won a first game at
home the other day, and I think that's a positive
step in the right direction for the second half of
the season. And we have a lot more to play
at home. So um, it should only it should only
continue us going in the right direction. Coach, this bears
well respected past defense. How does it mesh with tight ends? Um?
(16:46):
You know it really their their defense is very very good,
you know, Chuck, Chuck, Coach McConnell does a great job.
They're you know, watching them. You got ninety four fifty two,
fifty eight, fifty nine, the safety thirty eight and thirty nine.
I mean he got hicks inside. They they they are
very good. They they stop the run, They make you work.
(17:07):
They can rush the passer, you know. And um, we're
going to Chicago and we got to work cut out
for us against them on Monday night because of COVID
and tears and everything. I haven't spoken to Tyler Conklin
one time before a game this year. So, um, call Aim,
the announcer says, high. And also how is he doing?
Are things okay for Tyler? He has zero catches? Is
(17:27):
he begging for catches? He know, he's doing a good job.
He's working. Uh, you know he played played a lot
last week. Um, you know. And and again he's he's
he's doing his role and he's helping us. You know,
when somebody else is making a play, if he's in there,
he's pass protecting, he's run blocking, and he's he's getting
the positive things done for Dalvin, for Madison, for Justin,
(17:48):
for Irv, for Adam, for Kyle, for somebody, you know,
to get open to be successful and to help. Kurt
I asked Gary kubi Act this question on my radio
show on KFA and earlier in the week, and also
Mike Zimmer on this show. So I'll ask you too,
with what Dalvin's doing in the running game out there,
what are you seeing with play action? I mean that's
(18:08):
like something that's no longer in the back pocket. It's
like right there, right, yeah, it is, Uh, you know,
to watch him, whether he's running the ball or play action,
he's he's so energetic. He's a he's a special player, uh,
you know, whether it's in practice or in the game.
I mean, he's a captain, he's a leader, he's a worker.
You know, he wants to win. He wants to put
people on his back and his you know, he can
(18:31):
lead his teammates and they'll follow him and uh, you know,
it's it's a it's a tribute to him because he's
just fun to watch when he gets on that football field. Brian,
you've seen so much for so many years and you
just rapsodize Dalvin. But like, you know, the speed and
the versatility, Like what are some non obvious things a
coach would genuinely appreciate about what Dalvin Cook does and
(18:54):
what he brings. I think he has you know, he
kind of already knows where he wants to with the ball.
He has vision. One of the things that he does.
He's a great pass protector, you know. You know, a
lot of backs don't get credit for that, but he
know he's going to stick his face in there and
go block people. He understands all the schemes and uh,
you know, whatever he's called on to do, he's going
(19:15):
to do for his teammates. Last one and thank you
very much, Brian. The way Roquan Smith is playing, we
know Khalil Mack Prevathan a team Hicks, Eddie Jackson, like
you mentioned, is this is this a bigger tight end
protection game maybe like handcuffed to the tackles or is
this a big tight end pass protection game or just
(19:36):
kind of business as usual. No, I don't think so.
I think it's business as usual. You know. I think
we have to go about and we have to do
our our thing, just like we do on offense. You know,
like I said before, I think they're a great defense,
but we face a lot of good defenses and great
defenses this year. Every week there's a challenge. There's certain
people that people that we need to take care of them.
(19:56):
On offense, and you know, there's certain things that our
scheme will explod hopefully if we get the running game
going and we get things going, and that's what we
got to do on Monday night to beat the Bears
on the road. Coach, I appreciate the time. Best to luck,
keep everybody healthy and I'll see you soon. Okay, Okay,
thanks Paul, I appreciate it. You've got a bud. Brian
Pariani tight ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings on a
(20:17):
two game winning streak at Chicago on Monday Night football.
The kickoff shortly after seven o'clock. Then three consecutive at home,
so a chance to do some damage off two consecutive
wins from one in five now three and five. I'm
very very excited for this Monday Night contest. Winning the
Soldier field has been problematic for the Minnesota Vikings, winning
(20:39):
four of the last nineteen there, so we'll see what
they can do on Monday Night Football. It's game day
any day. Play the new Minnesota Vikings scratch game from
the Minnesota Lottery with the top prize of one hundred
thousand dollars. Are you game? Just say? I'm in get
details at ment lottery dot Com. Thank you to everybody
(21:02):
here at the Vikings Entertainment Network, specifically Nathan Vaughan and
Eric Nordquist and Brett Blakemore with kfa N Radio. I'm
Paul Allen. That's XS and OS with Mike Zimmer on
the kfa N Lewiston, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings Radio Network driven
by Paul Harris
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.